HISTORY OF RIDING MOUNTAIN AND AREA 1885-1984
COMPILED BY RIDING MOUNTAIN AND AREA HISTORY BOOK COMMITTEE
ISBN 0-88633-004-1 Copyright 1984

ARCHIE AND DORIS BUCHANAN
by Gretta McLaughlin

The families of Archie A. Buchanan and Doris Thurston arrived in the Riding Mountain district early 1900's. Doris from England, and Archie from Mountain View area, north of Neepawa. They attended the school that is now the Legion Hall. Mrs. Palmiter was their teacher for many years.
Doris and Archie were married in Ochre River, in 1918 and farmed 1 mile east of Riding Mountain few years. All of the field work was done with horses. Their 1 good crop was destroyed by hail and was plowed down. A year or so later the home was destroyed by fire. Nothing was saved.
Their home after that was 2 granaries and by then there were 3 daughters, Elsie, Gretta and Muriel, and baby son, Roy.
Doris Violet Buchanan (nee Thurston) and Archibald Buchanan at their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Married on March 5, 1918.
In 1926 they left the farm with just a team of horses. In 1928 Archie and the team worked the pile driver for the first cement bridge built over the creek, and that year built the home now owned by Mrs. John McRae. By then another daughter, Melba was born.
As soon as there was enough snow each year he and many men went up into the Riding Mountains and cut and sold cordwood all winter. One winter the whole family lived up there, about 2 miles from Rat Lake where there was a sawmill owned by Bert Walker of Eden, Man. who employed a lot of men.
A small confectionery store and gas station (at the corner) was bought around 1930 and for the next 10 years, during the depression, there was very little business. Most people had very little money but there was always a good crowd for the dances in the schoolhouse.
Admission was: ladies with lunch free, and the men were charged 25 cents.
In 1939 came the war and within a year there were very few men left in Riding Mountain. About that time the garage part of the business was sold to Mr. Harold Cleland. In 1940 the Buchanans tore down the old store and built a new grocery store and living quarters.
For a few years during the war Archie was employed as a maintenance mechanic at the Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) at Neepawa.
In about 5 years another home was built south of the store, now owned by Blair and Cathy Buchanan. The store was sold to the Hollyoake family, who later sold to Matt Sawchuk.
For a few years Archie and Doris lived in Atikokan, Ont., where many of their family were living and working. In 1953 they returned to Riding Mountain and bought the business back from Mr. Sawchuk. Later, son Roy became a partner and in 1959 he bought the business, and for a few years he owned the garage as well.
After many years of retirement in Riding Mountain, Archie died in 1975. Doris died in 1980.
The store is now owned by George and Dennis Dinsdale.

ART BUCHANAN FAMILY
byArt Bucharan.

Arthur Buchanan, son of Nels and Mary Buchanan was born in Riding Mountain, sec 15-17-15. I married Agnes MacLean, daughter of Neil and Ethel MacLean of Wynyard, Sask. We were married in Portage la Prairie in 1934 and we have 6 children.
Keith was born in Riding Mountain in 1935 and is married with 3 children: Kelly, Craig and Stacy. They now reside in Coquitlam, B.C.
Norris was born in Neepawa Hospital in 1938. He is married and has 3 children; Debora, Darren and Darlene. They now live in Winnipeg.
Gail was born in Ridinp Mountain in 1939. She is married and has 1 son, Jayson. They live in Chilliwack, B. C.
Patricia was born in Winnipeg in 1944. She is married with 2 children; Marc and Danielle. They now reside in Ottawa, Ont.
Randi was born in Winnipeg in 1952. She is married and has 1 son Cordel. They live in Prince George, B.C.
Shawn was born in Chilliwack, B.C. in 1960. He is also married and resides in Prince George, B.C.
Agnes and I now live in Neepawa, Man.
I served in World War II P.P.C.L.I. in Victoria, B.C. and in Windsor and Woodstock.

MR. AND MRS. BERT (HIEBERT) BUCHANAN
by Mrs. Bert Buchanan

Bert was born in the Neepawa district in 1897, and in 1905 moved to the Oakleaf district with his parents, 7 brothers and 1 sister.
In 1922 he married Maude Henton. I was born in England and came to Canada with my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Henton, 3 brothers and 2 sisters in 1905. We lived on the quarter-section where Tobarmore school used to be.
After we were married we farmed in the Oakleaf district where our 2 sons were born, Andrew in 1923 and Lawrence in 1927.
In 1935 we moved to Riding Mountain. Bert worked at several jobs during the summer and in the winter it was mostly bushwork. He drew ties and cordwood, too. It was at Walter Water's store that we bought our groceries and other essentials.
Two winters were spent in Timberton. Bert took his team and did chores around the mill. I did the cooking for the men. Merle Buchanan (Bob Buchanan's daughter), a niece by marriage, was with me the first winter, and the second winter her sister Lucy Buchanan (Mrs. Archie Bare) helped me. We fed from 12 to 20 men at a time.
We also had a cousin of mine, Fred Henton, who was Alf Henton's small son, who stayed with us for a time while his mother was in the hospital. Fred is married and has a family of 3 children. They live in Nanaimo, B.C.
In 1943 Bert got work at the airport in Neepawa and later at Rivers. When he retired we moved back to Neepawa, where I still live. Bert passed away in 1878.
In May of 1940 Andrew joined the army (P.P.C.L.I.). He took his training at Fort Osborne Barracks in Winnipeg. In 1941 he took an instructor’s course and was posted to Fort William, Ont. After a few months there he was returned to Winnipeg and given a medical discharge.
A year later he joined the army again in Winnipeg. After a short time he was posted to Camp Shilo. While there he took an instructor's course again and was shipped to Long Branch, Ont. for a “chemical warfare course” which lasted 6 weeks. He finally left Camp Shilo and after 2 month's posting to Debert, N.B. he arrived at Aldershot, England. Soon he was posted top the “Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada” and stationed at Worthing, England. He spent several months there and was transferred to the "Regina Rifle” where he joined them in France.
In July of 1944 he was wounded and sent back to England, where he spent 6 months in the 13th Canadian General Hospital. After being discharged he had a month's leave and spent it visiting Leicester, England where I was born.
After his return to Canada, he was posted to Brandon R.C.A.S.C. After 6 months he received his discharge at Winnipeg in 1945.
In 1946 Andrew married Grace Thomson and they lived in Neepawa, Winnipeg, Thompson, and now reside in Red Deer, Alta. They have 4 children: Donna, Blair, Ronald and Deborah.
When we came to Neepawa Lawrence worked at Neepawa Co-op for a short time. Then he worked at the Neepawa Airport till it closed and he went to Portage Airport till 1945. He took his training as a sheet metal worker and worked as a plumber and tinsmith for Walter Mathews. In August, 1951 he began working in Neepawa Post Office. He worked there for 30 years, and is now assistant postmaster at Altona.
Lawrence married Doris Sneesby of Woodside, Man. in 1953. They have 3 children: Brent Lawrence born in July 1959, Brian Mark born July 1960, and Sharon Doris born November 1964.
In 1960 Ronald and Gordon Davis came to make their home with them.

HOWARD AND ALMA BUCHANAN
By Alma (Dafoe) Buchanan

Howard, son of John and Florence Louise (Walker) Buchanan was born and raised in the Birnie area. His
parents came to this farm in 1908 and farmed there until they retired to the village of Birnie in 1952. They had 7
children: Viola, Olive, Irene, Gordon, Howard, Raymond and Arnold.
When World War II broke out, Howard enlisted and served with the P.P.C.L.I. in Sicily and Italy. After being severely wounded he returned to Riding Mountain in 1945.
Howard and I (Alma) were married on July 18th, 1952. I am the daughter of Teddy and Margaret Dafoe. I was born and raised at Riding Mountain. By a previous marriage to Earl Crandell, I had a daughter Joyce.
Joyce married Cyril Painter of Birnie and they reside in Portage la Prairie. They have two children were warned: Debbie, who is nursing at Portage la Prairie and Danny, who is attending the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
Howard, for many years hauled cordwood from the mountains with his great team and he still thinks that they were the best team ever hold would into Riding Mountain. He also worked for Jim Henry and then drove a truck for the Department highways. Howard and I were both caretakers of the Riding Mountain School until we moved to Portage la Prairie in 1958.
Howard, for many years, hauled cordwood from the mountains with his grey team and he still thinks that they were the best team that ever hauled wood into Riding Mountain. He also worked for Jim Henry and then drove a truck for the Dept. of Highways. Howard and I were both caretakers of the Riding Mountain school until we moved to Portage la Prairie in 1958.
Howard was an active member of the Riding Mountain Legion. We both supported the curling rink and other community activities. Howard says that he really had a good curling teacher -- Polly Jackson.
We now reside in Portage la Prairie, Man. but enjoy visiting our friends and relatives in the Riding Mountain area.

"LONG" JOHNNY BUCHANAN

Because of a potato famine in Ireland, there was a mass migration of people to Canada and the U.S.A. In 1845 [sic 1847] Andrew Buchanan and his wife, Jane Long of Tyrone of northern Ireland came by ship with their 7 sons and I daughter to Kingston, Ont. After 9 weeks on board ship a fever broke out, so when they landed, they were quarantined in the harbor of Kingston, Ont. for 3 weeks. Here Andrew died, so the mother, Jane, and 8 children settled in Perth, Ont. The names of these children were: Robert, James, Charles, William, Andrew, Samuel, John and Jane.
"Long" Johnny was the son of Samuel and Mary (Watson) Buchanan. He had 5 [7?] brothers and 1 sister. His 2 older [?] brothers died in infancy. He came to the plains in 1879 with his parents. He was a member of the battalion raised by the famous Col. Thomas Scott M.P. for Winnipeg at the time of the 1885 Rebellion.
He married Lizzie Graham and they had a family of 12 [13?]children: Mary Jane married George Smith, Cassey married George Liverington, Margaret married Ted Dafoe, Lizzie married Charles McArthur, Andrew (Andy) married Letitia, Samuel John (Sammy) remained a bachelor, Myrtle married Stan Rupert, Georgina married Bert Harris, Lydenia married Gordon Magee, Katie married Hugh Kennedy, Alexander (Alex) was a bachelor [?] and a twin to Merle who married George Hillis. [Daughter Elsie is omitted.]
It is mainly through the efforts of "Long" Johnny that the village of Riding Mountain is situated where it is. It had been originally planned that the village of Riding Mountain would be located 2 miles south of the present site. However, when the C.N. Railway went through in 1903, there was a misunderstanding between Frank Foulston and the railway company and a siding could not be built 2 miles south. "Long" Johnny, who owned N.W. 10-18-15 made a deal with the railway company and a siding was built and the present village of Riding Mountain was started.
Around 1918 "Long" Johnny moved to Pleasantdale, Sask. When he died he was buried beside his wife, Lizzie in Rosedale Cemetery (north of Neepawa).

NELS BUCHANAN FAMILY
by Art Buchanan

Nels Buchanan was the son of Andy and Letitia Buchanan. He was born in Neepawa at Stoney Creek, May 8, 1890. He married Mary Alice Buchanan, the daughter of Samuel and Isabel [Coulter] Buchanan of Birnie in 1910.
They had 6 children: Gertrude, born in Birnie in 1911. She is married and has 3 children; Faye, Gloria and Gordon. She now resides with her daughter Faye in Winnipeg.
Arthur, was born in Riding Mountain in 1912. He is married and has 6 children; Keith, Norris, Gail, Patricia, Randi and Shawn. They now reside in Neepawa.
Delbert was born in Riding Mountain in 1915. He is married with 2 children; Joan and Garv. He now lives in Winnipeg.
Mervin (Bud), was born at Pleasandale, Sask. in 1922. He is married and has 4 sons; Gerald, I)aniel, Ross aud Terry. He now lives in St. James.
Jean was born at Pleasandale, Sisk. iii 1924 and is married with 1 daughter Mariam. Jean is now deceased.
Jessie was born at Pleasandale, Sask. in 1924 (twin). She is deceased also.
Nels and Mary are also both deceased.
Nels served in Winnipeg Grenadiers and 226th Bat-talion in World War I, and served in Europe at Vimy Ridge, Ypres and Somme. In World War II he served in the Home Guard at Red Rock and Nanaimo.

MR. AND MRS. RICHARD BUCHANAN
by Elizabeth (Buchanan) Blunt

Richard Buchanan married me, [Mary Alice] Elizabeth Birch, in 1920 at the home of my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Birch Sr. of Birnie, Man.
After living on farms in the Oakleaf district, we moved to N.W. 4-18-15, known as the Sam Smith farm in the Tobarmore school district.
Our family includes 1 son and 6 daughters.
Clarence married Hazel Anderson at Decker, Man. in 1948. They have 5 children: Barbara, Richard, Daryl,
Robert and Bruce. After a lengthy illness, Clarence died in 1982.
Violet married Ray Dunsmore at her parents' home in 1941. They have 4 sons: Robert, David, Kenneth and
Brent. Violet divorced Ray and later on married Willis Murray. They reside in Neepawa.
Eileen married Jim Curtis at Riding Mountain in 1944. Their family includes Donald, Gordon, Murray, Tanis and Sharon. They farmed in the Makaroff area for a number of years, until Jim's death in 1971. Eileen now resides in Neepawa.
Evelyn married Henry Kaspick at Riding Mountain in 1947. Their family includes Brenda, Bryan and Arleigh.
Evelyn and Henry lived in Brandon prior to moving to Neepawa 15 years ago where they now operate White
Farm Equipment.
Betty married Clifford Moore at Riding Mountain in 1950. They have resided in several locations across
Canada, as Clifford was employed in the Armed Forces. They have 3 sons and 2 daughters: Gregory, Garnet,
Curtis, Karen and Marlene. They were divorced and Betty now lives in Winnipeg.
Audrey married George Simon at Riding Mountain in 1952. Audrey, having no children, has devoted her life
teaching other people's children in the Beautiful Plains School Division. Audrey and George farm west
Neepawa, where they have won "The Best Rural Home and Grounds Award" on various occasions.
Marie married Murray Kolesar at Riding Mountain 1958. Their family includes 1 daughter, Lori, and 1 son Richard. Marie taught school for 1 year at Big Valley Then she decided to become a comptometer operator where she worked at Great-West-Life Insurance Company. Murray and Marie make their home in Winnipeg.
Dick and I were always active in community affairs. Dick served on the Tobarmore school board and was instrumental in having the new school built. This building was later moved to Riding Mountain and is now part the Senior Citizen's Centre. He was also chairman of the sports committee. Each autumn found him threshing for his neighbors with the outfit he took over from Harold Cleland.
For several years, Dick and I took my young nephew Murray Ennis into our family following the death of mother, Mrs. Jack Ennis (Violet Birch). In addition my many duties as a farm wife and mother, I still found time and energy to assist with the community and United Church at Riding Mountain where Eileen, Evelyn, Betty, Audrey and Marie were married.
Dick passed away suddenly in 1956 but I, Lizzy remained on the farm until 1961. I moved, at that time to Neepawa and worked for Mr. and Mrs. Ed Salway 3 1/2 years.
In 1963, I married Nels Buchanan, a brother of Dick. Prior to our marriage, Nels lived in William's Lake, BC.
After a lengthy illness, he passed away in 1969. He left 3 sons and 1 daughter: Arthur, Delbert, Bud (Mervyn) and Gertie.
Frank Blunt and I were married on June 2nd, 1979 we reside in Neepawa. Frank has 2 daughters: Eve (Mrs. Archie Griffith), lives at Rocky Mountain House, Alta. She has 2 of a family: Yvonne and Mitch. Sharon is
a nurse in Edmonton, Alta.
Frank and I farm in the Clanwilliam district where he keeps a few cattle. He also has a wonderful dog named Tootsie to keep him company whenever I am not there.

THE ROBERT BUCHANAN FAMILY
by Lucy Bare

Robert Buchanan married Sarah Agnes Jackson on June 28, 1911. They lived east of the Oakleaf school. I think the farm was just rented.
Freda Margaret was born July 28, 1913, Lucy Letetia was born Dec.25, 1914, and Ruby Agnes was born July 7, 1917.1 think it was either the fall of 1917 or the spring of 1918, 1 can just remember going in the buggy, when we moved to the Hamilton McDonald place, the N.E. 1-18-15. It was 2 1/2 miles southeast of Riding Mountain, and 2 1/2 miles northwest of Oakleaf school. Here Laura Jane was born Feb.25, 1919, and Myrtle Merle was born Dec.26, 1921.
We 4 oldest girls started to Oakleaf school. We had a pony we drove in the summer, but we couldn't drive her in the winter because she would run away if she was hooked single in the cutter. She was afraid of it hitting her heels. Freda, Ruby and I (Lucy) went to Sunday School at the Riding Mountain United Church. Mrs. Levi Rogers was one of our teachers and Jack Waters was superintendent.
Mother used to sell butter to Dick Thurston's store and Mr. Simmons, (He worked on the C.N.R. track) would buy a gallon crock full at a time. Tom Henderson also bought some. Mother used to drive about 7 miles with the horse and buggy to Birnie and sold butter to Servante's store and other people. I was usually the one who went with her as I liked driving the horses.
We moved in the spring of 1927 to S.E. 13-17-15, the Birch place. Uncle Art had died and father rented the place from Aunt Eva Birch. Alvin Birch lives there now. Wilbert Roy was born there on May20, 1927.
Father got a job with the Good Roads grading the highway, 4 horses on the grader. We moved to Eden in the spring of 1929. In the fall of 1930 the Good Roads took some of the grader men off and father was one of them. We moved out to the Old Reilly place, northeast of Eden for the winter. In the spring of 1931 we moved north of Birnie to the Nicholson farm. Father rented it for a year then we moved to the Snider place, northeast of Riding Mountain. Cecil Andrew Robert was born there Oct. 3, 1932.
We moved to the Buchanan home, N.W. 20-17-14. It was rented from a mortgage company. We were there about 2 years then the farm was sold and we moved to the N.E. quarter of the same section. We were there for about a year, then the Oakleaf place, where father and mother first lived, was for sale for taxes so father bought it. Then he bought the Gilroy place on the same section, about 1942 or 43. They moved there about 1944. Mother died on Mar.21, 1946.
Father lived there with Wilbert and Bobby. Merle came home for a while and stayed with them. Then Vivian
Jones (Johnstone) kept house for him and Wilbert. Bobby had gone out working.
Father sold the S.W. quarter to Richard Johnston and rented the other quarter. He bought a house from Walter Kidd and moved it into Riding Mountain. He and Wilbert lived there till he died Oct.28, 1953. Wilbert is not married.
Freda Margaret married David T. Reed Nov. 5, 1932. They went to Fun Flon where Dave worked in the mine. Their 3 children were born there. Gordon David born Sept.23, 1933. Gordon married Verla Mae Allan Aug. 6, 1955. Gordon worked for the Hydro for a while. Then he did electrical wiring, as he was an electrician. Now he and Verla have the store at Langruth, Man. They have 2 boys:
Gorden Brent born Mar. 4, 1956 and Wayne Allan born April 17, 1957. Albert Murray was born Jan. 3, 1935. Murray married Ada Ursia Evens Nov.19, 1955. Murray and Ada lived in Winnipeg for a time. Then they moved to Calgary. Murray is a semi-truck driver. They have 3 boys: Brian Murray born Nov.13, 1956, Barry Dale born Oct. 12, 1958 and Bruce Robert born Nov. 22, 1961. Eileen Margaret was born Dec. 14, 1936. Eileen married Calvin Earl Whelpton Feb. 19,1955. They live on a farm in the Mentmore district. They have 4 children: Reid Calvin born Aug.16, 1959, Beverly Lynne born Sept. 2, 1960, Darlene Mae born Nov. 7, 1961 and Neil Earl born Dec. 7, 1968.
Freda Reed and the children moved from Flin Flon when Eileen was a baby. They lived at Ochre River for a time then moved to Riding Mountain to the Frood house, where Dann's Body Shop is now. They also lived in the Morley house and the Ralph Chisholm house. Then they lived in the Wes Ducklow place until about 1960 when Freda moved to Neepawa. She now lives in the Yellow Head Manor.
Lucy Letetia Buchanan married James Archie Bare Mar.21, 1943.
Ruby Agnes Buchanan married Calvert David Cathcart, Feb.1938. Calvert was an engineer on the C.N. construction gang. They lived on a farm at Keyes, Man., then moved to Neepawa. Then they moved to Winnipeg for a time, then back to a farm northwest of Neepawa. They bought a house in Franklin and lived there until Calvert's death in Oct. 1979. They had 5 of a family:
Flora Donna born Sept. 27, 1938. She married Hugh Boyd July 5, 1958. They have 3 of a family: Jamie, Kathy, and Patti Jo. They lived in Winnipeg for a number of years. They now live in Alberta. Donna is a teacher. Ruby Elaine married Ronald Lougheed Mar. 24, 1962. Ron worked for an oil company and they lived in Plumas, Gladstone and now in Grand View. They have 3 of a family: Sheila Elaine, Calvin Grant, and Bruce. Elaine is a nurse. Lawrence Robert married Donna Gail Montgomery May 19, 1962. They live on the farm S.W. 9-15-15, where the family lived when they moved back from Winnipeg. They have 4 boys: Scott Cathart borrn Nov. 15, 1962, Kevin Lawrence born Nov. 17, 1964, James Derek born Nov. 25, 1966, Myles Bradley born May 5, 1971. Sandra Dianne married James Pow. Thev are divorced and she has remarried. She has 1 son, Cameron David Pow born Nov. 22, 1970. Barbara Denise born Nov. 14, 1958, married Arnold Hugh Coutts Aug. 14, 1982. They live at Plumas on a farm.
Laura Jane Buchanan was born Feb. 25, 1919, and married Irvin Fleger Jan. 1942. They lived on the farm where he had lived with his mother. Margaret Ann was born Aug. 17, 1942. Harvey Irvin born Sept.22, 1943. They then bought the Jackson farm from our grand-father, Thomas Jackson, S.W. 8-17-14, east of Birnie. Grace Evelyn was born Jan. 19, 1945; Marie Ruth was born Feb. 3, 1946; Dorothy Jean born Sept. 9, 1949 and Shirley Lorraine born May 28, 1956. Margaret Ann married Arnall Andrew Aug. 17, 1963. They lived on a farm northeast of Kelwood. Margaret taught school for a year at Riding Mountain. They have 2 boys, Arnall Bruce born May 14, 1969; Brian John born Oct. 10, 1970. They moved to the homeplace last fall, 1982. Harvey Irvin married Linda Gail Scott April 26,1975. They lived for a while in the big house on the farm, Irvin and Laura bought a trailer and moved it on the farm. Harvey got a job with the Co-op in Neepawa and they moved to Neepawa. He got a job as Weed Inspector at Pierson and they have been there since. They have 3 boys: Dean, Michael, and Vaughn. Grace Evelyn is unmarried. She works for Household Finance and lives in Winnipeg. Marie Ruth married Steve Fedorowich Feb.22, 1969. Marie is a nurse. They lived in Winnipeg, Steve worked with the C.N.1.B. and he was transferred to Brandon, so they moved there. They have I daughter, Katheryn Gail, born Aug. 15, 1971. Dorothy Jean married Mervyn Myers Brewer Nov. 15, 1969. They live at Erickson on a farm. They have I boy, Bradley Kevin, born Jan. 17, 1974. Shirley Lorraine married Montgomery Scott (Buzz) Andrews of Calgary. They live in Calgary. They have no family.
Myrtle Merle Buchanan married Gordon Kitson July 1945. Gordon was killed in an accident about 6 weeks after they were married. Merle married George Archer about 1948. They lived at Portage Ia Prairie, where George worked at the airport. They have 3 of a family:
Robert George born July 30, 1949; Kenneth Wayne born July 3, 1953; Debra Jean born Aug. 18,1956. They were at Fort Churchill and moved to North Battleford. George died in 1981. Merle still lives at North Battleford.
Cecil Andrew Robert Buchanan married Norma McKee, April 1951. They have 6 of a family: Wayne Robert, born Feb.16, 1953; Kenneth Andrew, born Jan. 16, 1955; Darlene Lynne, Jan.13, 1957; Linda Lee, born Nov.25, 1959; Donald Murray, born Mar.26, 1963 and Neil William born July 24, 1970.
Robert (Bob) started as a fireman on the old steam engine on the C.N.R. He was engineer when they took the steam engine off and put on the diesel engines. He has been engineer on the diesel since. They lived in Biggar, Sask. for a few years then moved to Winnipeg. Their 3 oldest boys all work for Safeway Stores in Winnipeg. The 2 oldest boys and the oldest girl are married. Wayne Robert married Evelyn Shirley Fargher Sept. 16, 1972. They have 2 boys. Kenneth Andrew married Patricia Jane Bingeman May 24, 1975. They have no family. Darlene Lynn married Jay Bruce Erlandson May 8, 1982.
Wilbert Roy, when father died came up to our place on the farm for a while, then he went downtown to Freda's. Ruby and Freda took him to Portage la Prairie to the home for boys. He was there for 4 or 5 years, then the home put him out on farms where the people he was living with looked after him. He was with a family at Alonsa for a while. Then he was up near Shoal Lake. Now he is at Erickson at Beatty's.

ROY AND BETTY BUCHANAN FAMILY
by Roy and Betty Buchanan

I, Roy, the son of Archie and Doris (Thurston) Buchanan was born in 1925.1 received my education at the Riding Mountain School.
After leaving school I worked on farms and at logging. enlisted in the army, in the Service Corps, in 1943. I went overseas and served in France and Germany. I didn't return home until 1946 as I spent 9 months in the
army of occupation in Germany.
On my return home I began driving a transfer for Jim Henry. Then I drove a transfer for Bert McKay on construction until 1952 when I went to work in the mine at Atikokan, Ont. I was there until the fall of 1954.
I, Betty am the daughter of James and Jennie (Chisholm) McLaughlin. I was born in 1932 at Riding Mountain. I, too, received my education at the local school. I belonged to the first Garden Club with Mark Robinson as our leader. Before I was married I worked in Neepawa.
Betty and I were married on April 14, 1954. We made our home in Atikokan, Ont. until October of 1954 when we moved back to Riding Mountain. At this time we went into business with Archie and Doris Buchanan. In 1962 we took over the store on our own. In 1974 we sold the tore to George and Dennis Dinsdale. I, Roy, at this time went to work as a Correctional Officer at Spruce Woods Rehabilitation Camp where I was employed until January of 1983 when I retired.
We have 3 sons: Blair, Lyle and Dean.
Blair Alexander was born in May of 1955. He attended Riding Mountain and Kelwood schools. After school he was employed as a dragline operator for Mervin Morley For 2 years. Then he went to work for M.T.S. as a cat operator. On May 15, 1982 he married Cathy Baker of Brandon. They reside in Riding Mountain and have a daughter, Tara Lee Elizabeth born Nov.20, 1983. Blair is now a semi-truck driver for the M.T.S.
Lyle Ross was born in September of 1957 in Neepawa. He received his education in Riding Mountain and Kelwood. He worked for the C.N.R. until this line was abandoned. He then took an apprenticeship in brick laying but chose to work for the M.T.S. in 1980 where he is still employed. In November of 1983 he married Kimberly Boyd, daughter of Elbourne and Faye Boyd of Riding Mountain. They now reside in Brandon, Man.
William Dean was born in October of 1960. He too received his education in Riding Mountain and Kelwood schools. In 1979 he began to work with the M.T.S. as a coin collector. He is engaged to Nola Jean Zboril of Kelwood and they are to be married on April 28, 1984. They reside in Brandon.
I, Roy have always enjoyed curling. I am an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 202 of Riding Mountain. All 3 sons are ardent curlers and are also members of the local Legion.

SAMUEL BUCHANAN FAMILY
by Art Buchanan

Samuel, son of Samuel and Mary (Watson) Buchanan, was born at Donegal, Ont. in 1869. He came with his parents to Manitoba in the 1870's and settled in the Neepawa area. He had 5 [7?] brothers: "Long" Johnny, Jim, Bill, Robert and David, and a sister, Mary.
In 1891, Samuel married Isabel (Bella) Coulter of Mountain View. They farmed for a few years in the Neepawa and Mountain View district before moving to a farm in the Birnie area (later known as the Jim Birnie farm) and then to a Riding Mountain farm (later known as the Norman Tyler farm). About 1915 he purchased the "Alex Allan" house from Bill Watson and moved his family to town.
He joined the army and went overseas in 1916. When he returned, they moved to Pleasantdale, Sask. where he farmed for a number of years. They later moved to the Chilliwack, B.C. area where they lived until their passing. They are both buried in the Legion cemetery in Chilliwack, B.C.
Sam and Bella had a family of 7, all born in the Neepawa and Birnie districts. Mary Alice, born in 1894, married Nels Buchanan of Riding Mountain. Archie Alexander, born in 1895, married Doris Thurston of Riding Mountain. Andrew William, born in 1898, married Beatrice Harris of Neepawa. Jean Alma, born in 1901, married Pete Ducklow of Riding Mountain. Angus, born in 1905, married Ann Zart of Chilliwack, B.C. Jessie, born in 1907, deceased at childbirth [tombstone at Riding Mountain says she lived for 2 weeks]. Leola, born in 1909, married Carter Toop of Chilliwack, B.C. and still resides there.

THE ANDREW SNIDER FAMILY
by Mabel Henry

Andrew, son of James and Elizabeth Snider married Isabel Watson, daughter of James and Jane. They had two children: James, who married Thelma Stewart, a Kelwood girl and Elizabeth (Ella) who married Walter Clark.
After the death of Isabel, and he married her sister Annie, widow of David Gardiner. They farmed land that is now part of Parkview Colony.
Mr. and Mrs. Snider retired and moved Abbotsford B.C. In 1928. After Mr. Snider died there, Mrs. Snider returned to Riding Mountain. She made her home with her brother Dave Watson, until her death in 1939.
James served in the Army during World War II. He and Thelma farmed Inglis, Manitoba and later moved to Haney, B.C., where James was tragically killed when struck by a car in front of their home. James and Thelma had two sons: Barry and Donald.
Ella and Walter Clark farmed at Birtle, Manitoba until Walter joined the Army during World War II. They later moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba were Charles resides. Ella passed away in 1968. They had a son, Carman and two daughters, Dorothy and Lillian.

THE JAMES SNIDER FAMILY
by Mabel Henry

James Snider and Elizabeth Hutchinson were married near Brantford, Ontario on Christmas Day, 1863, a triple wedding when Mrs. Snider 's brother and cousin also "took unto themselves a comely bride".
The Sniders moved with several other migrating families to Shoal Lake, Manitoba, where James worked at the creamery and Elizabeth boarded the staff.
About 1890 the moved to Riding Mountain and homesteaded the farm that was later owned by William Cation and later still by Jim Grudeski and is now part of Parkview Colony.
There were 5 sons and five daughters in the family. Andrew and James Jr. also homesteaded farms that are incorporated into the Parkview Colony. Sons Frank and Jack moved to Bowsman with their parents to homestead about 1905. Son Joseph went to Outlook, Saskatchewan.
The daughters were: Sophia (Mrs. Matt Wells), Annie (Mrs. Robert Hainstock), Hester (Mrs. Allan Eby), Laura (Mrs. Robert Alexander), and Minnie (Mrs. Dave Watson).
Following Mrs. Snider 's death in 1910, Mr. Snider, "Dad" as he was known by everybody, came back to Riding Riding Mountain and made his home with the Watsons until he died in 1930. He and his wife are both buried at Shoal Lake where they made their first home in Manitoba.
Mr. Snider was a fine old time fiddler and was always happy to entertain his many friends. He was a living example of a Christian man. He not only attended church regularly, but never went to bed now matter how late without reading from his well-worn Bible and kneeling in prayer.
Once his son Joe came to visit unexpectedly and grandpa didn't recognize him at first. Joe said "Well I called you Dad" to which he replied "Shucks everyone calls me Dad", a sign of how dearly he was loved by all who knew him.
Mrs. Snider a very industrious lady, in addition to the duties of raising a large family was midwife to her neighbors and assisted many new little citizens into the world.

THE DAVE WATSON FAMILY
by Mabel Henry

Dave Watson and Minnie Snider were married May 31st, 1899 and homesteaded the quarter section 1 mi. east of the present town of Riding Mountain. Later they farmed closer to town. There were among the first members of the Methodist (later United) Church, which Mr. Watson helped to build. Mrs. Watson was active in church work for many years.
Dave was a member of the school board for 27 consecutive years. He with Walter Waters and George Sissons formed the first park board, when land was purchased from the CNR to form a memorial park. Here many picnic and ball games have taken place over the years.
The eldest son, Bert married Bessie McKone of Kelwood. They lived in Winnipeg and Yorkton, Saskatchewan when he was with the John Deere Company. They retired to Burlington, Ontario where Bert died in 1979. They had one son Ron and two grandchildren.
Roy married Phyllis Foster and after living in town several years moved to Welland, Ontario where Roy was employed with Atlas Steel Company until his retirement. They have two daughters, Shirley (Mrs. Doug Pyper) and Eleanor (Mrs. Richard) Daniels and six grandchildren.
Their daughter Mabel married Jim Henry and they were in business in town until they retired and moved to Neepawa in 1979. They had one daughter Lorna McDougal and two sons Jerry and Ray and eight grandchildren. Mrs. Watson died in 1935 and Dave in 1958.

JAMES AND JANE BUCHANAN WATSON
by Mabel Henry

My grandparents James Watson and Jane Buchanan were married in the township of Elma in Perth County, Ontario on September 22nd, 1858. They raised a family of 13: Adam, Elizabeth, Samuel, Robert, David, Margaret, Annie, Solomon, William, at Isabel, and Jean, Allen and Mary.
In 1885 James Watson homesteaded the first farm in the Riding Mountain district, S.E. 16-18-15. During the summer, he and his sons lived in a tent and cut logs for the building and grew a crop of potatoes for winter.
In 1886 they built their log house and barn and moved from Spring Hill where they had homesteaded land in 1879. While there James Watson was elected as the first Reeve when Rosedale municipality was formed.
He helped to survey road a road to Dauphin and later their home was the "stopping house" where travelers on the stage between Neepawa and Dauphin could have a meal and change horses for the next segment of the trip. On return trip, horses were again changed.
Mrs. Watson, a very resourceful woman, acted as nurse many times when the pioneers suffered injuries in the wood cutting operations.
When the Watson came to this district, their nearest neighbors were Mr. and Mrs. Bare who lived at Tobermore. Grain had to be hauled to Portage la Prairie to be ground into flour. On one trip, Mr. Watson was detained by a blizzard and the family lived on boiled wheat for three days until he could get home with the flour.
They retired and sold the farm to their son, Solomon, who in turn sold ir to Daniel Kitson. His son Milton and his wife Irene, still live there.

THE WILLIAM WATSON FAMILY
by Mabel Henry

William Watson son of James and Jane married Sophia Monroe. They farmed on the land later owned by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Tyler
At one time "Bill" owned the pool room on the front street of Riding Mountain. The lived in the house that was later owned by Mamie Allan and which was destroyed by fire.
Their family was: Flo (Mrs. Fred Graham), Clara (Mrs. John Alexander), Gertie (Mrs. Hunter Putnam), Rhea (Mrs. Lyle Baker), Arthur and Norman. They all attended the first school in Riding Mountain.
About 1912 the family moved to Bowsman, Manitoba.